The Huskies haven't lost since Nov. 17, 2014, and Williams, now a junior was at the center of the 100th victory in a row. With the national audience watching, she was extraordinary — career-high 26 points, 14 rebounds, four assists, four steals against South Carolina Monday night.

It was a loud pronouncement: Williams is among the best players in the country.

But two years ago, Williams was on the bench during the only loss of her college career. As UConn lost at Stanford, Williams did not play. It was the only game she missed in her career, the product of her slow adjustment to the next level of basketball.

The Courant's Paul Doyle was among the sizable media contingent that had the hundreds rain down on them around 11 p.m. Monday (yes, he...

Williams, the kid who never stops working and moving, simply was not competing enough to satisfy her coach.

"It was really just a bad feeling," Williams said. "I started off my freshman year really slow. I wasn't doing what they were asking me to do. I wasn't competing at the level they wanted me to, wasn't going as hard as I should have been going."

So, after debuting with six points in 13 minutes in the season-opening win over UC Davis, Williams didn't leave the bench at Stanford. The Huskies used that loss as a motivator the rest of the season, and it sparked a run through the next two seasons, when UConn won consecutive NCAA titles.

For Williams, the game nudged her.

"I never wanted to feel like that again ... almost helpless," Williams said. "I knew that if I would have played in that game, I would have messed everything up. I wasn't prepared the way I should have for that game. So I had to think of, what am I going to bring to this program now, for myself and for my teammates? Because I don't ever want to feel like I'm not a part of anything."

She hasn't missed a game since. She was an important reserve as a sophomore last season and has stepped up to fill a void as a junior for the 25-0 Huskies.

After losing its three top players, UConn entered this season with undefined roles on the roster. Who would be the go-to scorer? Who would be the vocal leader? Who be the defensive stopper?

At various times, Williams has filled all of those spots. The player who came to UConn as a guard has been playing the post, guarding bigger players while learning to score in traffic.

She also has been at her best in the most important games. She was UConn's best player in a win at Notre Dame and she thrived against South Carolina, which had a significant size advantage up front.

"She's an extraordinary talent," Geno Auriemma said.

Williams, who was an exceptional high jumper in high school, had knee surgery twice before coming to UConn. Auriemma believes the injuries slowed her transition to college, both physically and emotionally.

Early in her career, she was plagued by self doubt.

"She questioned whether she could do it, whether she would ever get back to the athlete that she was, to be able to do what she did," Auriemma said. "So I think there was always a little bit of doubt in her mind and when things didn't go her way, that doubt overwhelmed her and you could see it in her body language, see it in her face, everywhere and she would just sabotage herself."

Even this season, which continues Saturday at Tulane, there have been moments when Auriemma has seen that body language return. He sat her for much of the first half against Tulsa earlier this month, saying she seemed out of sorts.

The message during a recent conversation between coach and player? If she maintains a high level of energy and intensity, she's a player every kid in the country strives to be.

"If you don't, you're just an average basketball player," Auriemma said. "[Monday], I don't know what was bigger, her rebounding or her heart."

Williams admits she can be tough on herself. Her confidence is rising, but there are moments — even this season — when it wavers.

"I lose my confidence when I try to play outside of my game, outside of what I know I can do," Williams said. "But once I get things going on the defensive end, things start to come. … There's always more that I can do. I think down the road I'm going to have to do more. I just need to focus on what I know I can do and other things will come."

As UConn won its 100th in a row, former players watched from behind the bench. Among them, two of Williams' mentors: Morgan Tuck and Breanna Stewart. They were the veterans who helped her transition, and Tuck, in particular, tutored her on the court.

"It felt great, especially with the alumni there ... especially Stewie and Tuck," Williams said. "I think those guys have watched me grow and I've learned a lot from those two."

The only hole in Williams' game? Outside shooting. She is working to expand her offensive game and add perimeter scoring. But the former guard has displayed ball-handling and passing skills, and her defensive game is strong no matter who she is guarding.

ESPN's Jay Bilas called her the most complete player in the country. Her name is being mentioned as a national player of the year candidates. As the wins pile up for UConn, the spotlight will continue to shine on Williams.

And she still has another season at UConn. Her basketball skills, stalled when she missed time with the knee injuries, are still emerging.

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Witht he addition of the AAC games on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2017, the UConn women's basketball schedule is now set.

Witht he addition of the AAC games on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2017, the UConn women's basketball schedule is now set.

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Witht he addition of the AAC games on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2017, the UConn women's basketball schedule is now set.

Witht he addition of the AAC games on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2017, the UConn women's basketball schedule is now set.

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On Friday, Sept. 8, Rebecca Lobo will be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield. Lobo's high school coach, Jim Vincent, a high school teammate, Marcy Coviello, and her father, Dennis Lobo, reflect on Lobo's formative years and all she has accomplished.

On Friday, Sept. 8, Rebecca Lobo will be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield. Lobo's high school coach, Jim Vincent, a high school teammate, Marcy Coviello, and her father, Dennis Lobo, reflect on Lobo's formative years and all she has accomplished.

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At the Haggar Enshrinement press conference at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass. on Thursday, UConn women's basketball great Rebecca Lobo speaks about growing up just miles away from the hall of fame. Lobo is one of eleven inductees in the class of 2017 at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass. The Enshrinement ceremony is Friday evening.

At the Haggar Enshrinement press conference at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass. on Thursday, UConn women's basketball great Rebecca Lobo speaks about growing up just miles away from the hall of fame. Lobo is one of eleven inductees in the class of 2017 at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass. The Enshrinement ceremony is Friday evening.

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UConn sophomore guard Crystal Dangerfield talks about lessons learned during her freshman year and advice she has for the four incoming freshmen.

UConn sophomore guard Crystal Dangerfield talks about lessons learned during her freshman year and advice she has for the four incoming freshmen.

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UConn rising junior Napheesa Collier emerged as an elite player during a breakout sophomore season, leading the team in scoring (20.4 points).

UConn rising junior Napheesa Collier emerged as an elite player during a breakout sophomore season, leading the team in scoring (20.4 points).

As good as she is, Williams will get better. There's something for college basketball coaches across the country to think about.

"When that times comes, when her basketball skills completely catch up, then it'll be the next wave of women's basketball players that you see come along," Auriemma said. "Because, there's no one else like her in all of college basketball."